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(No Mo N. MPSO NOLD & BRIMS' A. C. ARE FOR'GURLING MAGHIN 1 t 29, Paten Sep 5.

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ALONZO C. ARNOLD AND \VILLIAM THOMPSON, OF NORVVALK, CONNECTI- CUT; SAID ARNOLD ASSIGNOR TO SAID THOMPSON.

MACHINE FOR CURLENG HAT-BRQMS.

SPECEPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 326,935, dated September 29, 1885.

Application filed December 27, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALONZO O. ARNOLD and WILLIAM THoMPsoN, of Norwalk, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut,

haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Curling Hat-Brims, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to a machine for curling hat-brims, as hereinafter more fullyset TC forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a machine adapted to carry out our invention; Fig. 2, a perspective view of the dies employed, showing them assembled as in completing their operation on the brim; Fig. 3, a perspective view showing the dies separated; Figs. 4 and 5, views illustrating the mode of applying and using the dies.

Prior to this invention attempts have been made to accomplish at one and the same operation the curling and shaping of hat-brims; but so far as we are informed such efforts have not met with success in actual operation.

Our apparatus consists of a bed or table, A,

15 of convenient height for a workman, on which is mounted the bed-die B, of the form shown in Fig. 3. The die may be either stationary or swiveled, to permit it to be turned around in a horizontal plane for convenience in ap- 0 plying the hat-body and pressing the brim lightly into the die with the fingers, as is con1- monly done.

a 2) represent two sections of a die, 0, which is divided to facilitate its application and re- 5 moval. This die is of a form corresponding to that of the brim to be made, as is also the die B.

The hat-body comes to die B in a heated and softened condition, with the brim portion pro 0 jecting horizontally all around, and a wooden block, D, in the crown portion, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5. It is placed upon die B, as indicated in said figures. The brim is then gently or lightly pressed into die B, and

5 then the parts a b of die 0 are placed upon said brim portion and pressed down so that the brim is caused to lie close uponthe beddie all around. The parts a b of die 0 are kept in place by a ring, E, which encircles the block D and the hat-body thereon, and fits within the inner opening of said die 0, as

shown in Figs. 4 and 5. lVhen the die 0 is thus placed upon the rim, the latter assumes, approximately, the shape of the space between dies B and O, receiving thereby both the lon- 5 gitudinal curvature or end dip and the lateral curvature required, the edges standing up all around, as at c in Fig. 4. At this point a hatters iron is passed around over the upright edge, turning it down upon the die 0, as at (1, Figs. 4 and 5, the edge being moistened, heated, or steamed, if necessary, to make it sufficiently pliable. \Vhen the edge is thus turned in upon die 0, a top plate or die, F, having an open center to pass over the hat 6 body, and of a size and form to fit the upper face of die 0, is placed upon the rim, as in Figs. 2 and 5, and suitable force is applied to press the several dies firmly together, thereby giving the brim the exact form required, pressing or drawing out all wrinkles and uneven places, and giving the brim and its curled edge a permanent set.

If desired, the bed-die B or the top die, F, or both, may be made hollow and heated by steam or otherwise to keep the hat in a soft condition; but this is not essential.

For convenience in operation, the top plate or die, F, is secured to a cross-head, G, carried by upright standards H, connected with a counterbalanced treadle, I, the depression of which causes the cross-head to descend, as will be readily understood upon referring to Fig. 1.

, After the brim has set properly, the cross head is raised, thereby removing top die or plate, F, after which ring E is lifted out, and then the parts a b of die 0, the division of the latter permitting said parts to he slipped out or withdrawn from beneath the curled edge of the brim Without breaking, bending, or otherwise injuring the same.

The dies may be made of iron, spelter, or other suitable material.

The ironing and bending over of the edge 5 after the body is applied to die B, and after the die 0 and ring E are applied, is a vital feature in our process, and it is this that insures the success of our plan. Being under perfect control of the operator and in plain no view, this operation can be performed with the utmost accuracy and ease.

Having thus described our invention, what ed to enter the space between parts a b of said we claim is two-part die, and to maintain said parts in 1. The herein described apparatus for bendproper position. 1 ing and curling hat-brims, consisting of bed 3. In combination with bed-die B, two-part 5 or table A, bed or die B, curved to the redie 0, and ring E, top die or plate, F, curved quired form of the brim, two-part die 0, ring to correspond with dies B O, substantially as D, top plate or ring, F, cross-head G, and and for the purpose set forth. treadle I, connected with the cross-head, sub- ALONZO O. ARNOLD. stantially as shown and described. WILLIAM THOMPSON. 1o 2. In combination with die B, curved to the Witnesses:

form of the required brim, two-part die 0 of EZRA H. PARKER, a corresponding curvature, and ring E, adapt- WILLIAM E. MONTGOMERY. 1 

